September 2009

Très chers parents et élèves,

I am looking forward to a productive and exciting school year.  I would like to give you an overview of why learning French is important, the curriculum and the expectations of the French program and encourage your involvement and support. 

We are living in a multilingual and multicultural world today where speaking more than one language is a very important tool to possess. More than three hundred million people in fifty-four countries speak or use French as a second language. A good reason to learn a new language is to be able to communicate with the people who speak it.  This includes both the people you meet when traveling as well as people in your own community. As well, Vermont has many connections with the French language and culture, including our French Canadian neighbors to the north and visitors to our state.   Even the name of our state has French roots: the name Vermont is derived from the French words meaning green mountains.  French is a classic and international language.  Much important research on many topics including economics, sciences, politics, education, etc., is conducted in French as I experienced while studying at the University of Montreal and in Dakar (Senegal)

I am from Senegal, West Africa.  I was born and educated there.  Senegal is a former French colony and all of our education system is taught in French.  I completed my university studies there in Philosophy and Languages.  After, I became a teacher of French and Philosophy in Dakar, our capital. 

Along with the academic goals, this class will offer your child an understanding of French and Francophone culture.  Francophone refers to all the countries other than France who also speak French. 

I encourage you to ask your child everyday what they are studying in our class.  You too may be able to learn new things.  The more the students share what they are learning at home, the greater the reinforcement of the material we have learned in class.  If your child reads books, watches TV, movies or other media, I suggest that you find some in French to expand their curiosity. 

Following are the academic expectations by grade level. 

Please feel free to contact me with questions. 

Email: mndione@wdsdvt.org, School phone: 244-6100 (extension 205)

Mohamadou Ndione

(Mr. Mo)